Georgian Parliament Speaker says supporting peace, stability in Caucasus region needed “more than ever” amid current complex realities
He added that intensified Western presence in the region was “critically important” to cope with a variety of threats and challenges, stressing EU and NATO membership for Georgia would be a guarantee for its economic prosperity and security. Photo via Parliament of Georgia
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Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday highlighted the need to support peace and stability in the Caucasus region “now more than ever” amid current complex realities, including armed incidents in Karabakh, Russia’s dominant military presence, and economic challenges.
In his speech delivered at the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre in Bucharest, Papuashvili said cooperation between “freedom-loving nations of the region” was the “key to solving” regional security problems and ensuring stability and prosperity.
Georgia stands for restoration of peace, and relaunch of negotiations between the sides”, Papuashvili stressed, adding the country had already taken steps towards facilitating communication between the neighbours – Armenia and Azerbaijan and would continue putting “much effort” into promoting regional peace.
Delivered a speech on ????????’s European & Euro-Atlantic agenda at the ????????'s Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre. ???????? sees #EU & #NATO membership as a guarantee for economic prosperity and security and is ready to contribute to Europe’s resilience & energy independence. It’s high time for… pic.twitter.com/WgpCUp3E6U
— Shalva Papuashvili ???????? (@shpapuashvili) September 26, 2023
The Caucasus region’s strategic importance in terms of connectivity and energy security of Europe was emphasised by the Parliament Speaker, highlighting the Middle Corridor as the “shortest and cheapest" transit route between Europe and Asia.
Georgia is doing its best to enhance its role as a logistic centre and hub for doing business in the region. [...] is committed to participate actively in major strategic projects and initiatives to contribute to strengthening Europe’s energy independence”, Papuashvili said.
“Strategically important” Georgia-initiated Black Sea submarine electricity cable project was also stressed by the Parliament Speaker, who said the project would help the European Union to diversify its energy resources.
He added that intensified Western presence in the region was “critically important” to cope with a variety of threats and challenges, stressing EU and NATO membership for Georgia would be a guarantee for its economic prosperity and security.